Then, I thought about my father. I see my dad suffer when he knows he used to be able to do something, and has lost the capacity to recall how to do it now. The pain must be excruciating!
The old man sat hunched over his desk, swallowed by the worn sweater wrapped around his barrel chest. He stared at the computer screen in front of him, with rheumy eyes, a tear escaping and rolling down the leathery skin of his cheek. The mouse in his gnarled hand felt comforting, but images on the screen brought deep despair. He remembered that he used to work this computer. He used to know how to find things on the computer. He knew much of his life was inside the machine, but he was damned if he could get to it now. The pain was excruciating.
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Absolutely awesome come back for this painfully hurting feeling- Bravo!
ReplyDeletegreat post. I can't even imagine having to go through something like this
ReplyDeleteA good writer touches the depths of the reader's feelings, fears, joy, and so on. And this time you really did it! What a wonderful piece about old age. Yes, you touched my fears. For me though that reinforces my determination to wake up, put a smile on my old face, and go out and enjoy my day. Thank you so much for this. Have you thought of writing a book?
ReplyDeleteP. S Just noticed that you have recently read two books that I also recently read. You know about the snail, the other is The Lace Reader. Have you read, the map of true places, by the same author? It was the first of her books that I read and I strongly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteVery well written. It shows how we can literally have knowledge at our fingertips, but if our brain doesn't send the right messages to our fingertips...it might as well be miles away.
ReplyDeletePoignant. Thank you for sharing.
Lana
This was so well written. When I go to the nursing home to see my mom, I see plenty of residents there and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them feel like this.
ReplyDeleteOh, this brought a tear to my eye.
ReplyDeleteI am beginning to forget some things too. Dad went through Alzheimer's with all of us witness to that decline. yes, the pain is excruciating.
Very well done!
Oh.
ReplyDeleteOh.
My Dad has early dementia and Alzheimers and this struck a chord in my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
Such a horrible thing for anyone to endure.
I'm sorry.
Sending you a hug and a prayer that you all find peace with this awful disease.